Traction splint



Patented May 18, 1943 TRACTION SPLINT Raymond Hartmann and Gustave R.Tifal, Los Angeles, Calif.

Annina-tion october 26, i942, seriai No. 463,394

6 Claims. (Cl. 12S-84) Our invention relates to surgical devices, andhas among its objects and advantages the provision oi an improved quickapplication traction splint equally well suited to arm or leg work.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a View illustrating our invention applied to leg and armconditions.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the splint.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional View.

Figure 4 is a detail view of a telescopic clamp, and

Figure 5 is a sectional detail view illustrating a traction spring.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, we makeuse of a tubular meniber I within which is slidab-ly fitted a shaft I2.This shaft is provided with a curved groin or armpit engaging crosspieceI4. The outer end of the member I0 is provided with a laterallypositioned arm I6 recessed to provide fingers I8 be tween which ispositioned a shank 2B of a pressure clamp 22 having a cupped or concavedface 2li.

A compression spring 26 has one end housed in a bore 28 in the outer endof the member I0. The other end of the spring lies in a recess 3!) inone face of the traction clamp 22, this end of the spring being held inplace by a plate 32 fastened to the traction clamp and inserted betweentwo convolutions of the spring. The spring 2B normally holds thetraction clamp in the position of Figure 3, but the traction clamp maybe pivoted toward the member lil about the axis of a pin 34 whichpivotally connects `the traction clamp with the fingers I3.

The inner end of the member III is slotted at 36 and recessedcircuinferentially at 38 for the reception of a clamp band 10. A leatherstrap 42 is interposed between the band dll and the recessed part of themember I0 to protect the latter, since the two sections IB and I2 may beformed of wood. A bolt it is provided for tightening the clamp band Ailon the member IU. Thus the members Ill and I2 are telescopically relatedand may be fixedly related in different positions to vary the length ofthe splint.

A top strap 4t is attached to the member I2 and is provided with abuckle 8. An intermediate strap 59 is attached to the member It and alsoincludes a buckle 52. The third strap is attached to the traction clamp24 and is provided with a strap 54 and a buckle 5t.

In operation, the splint may be applied to either the arm or the leg.The part Ill is placed against the groin or in the armpit. The clamp 40is loosened and the two members l0 and l2 adjusted to the desired lengthaccording to the size of the patients arm or leg. The strap 46 is thensecurely fastened around the arm or the leg. For leg purposes, the strap54 is then passed about the ankle for securely attaching the latter tothe pressure clamp 22. The meinbers Il) and I2 are then extendedsufficiently far to compress the spring 26 and bring the pressure clamp22 to the right angular position of Figure l. The clamp 40 is thentightened and the strap 50 moved upwardly or downwardly of the member I0to its proper position and tightened around the arm or the leg. Thepatient is then ready for transportation.

For arm purposes, a standard cravat bandage hand hitch 58 connects thearm with the pressure clamp 22 to hold the latter in its right angularposition. When once applied, the spring 26 provides a constant tractionof the required pressure, which is usually around forty-five pounds orslightly less. The maximum area of the injured limb is exposed while thetraction splint is applied thereto so that wounds may be cared forwithout removing the splint. The straps hold the splint firmly againstthe injured member and at the same time helps to maintain the traction.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain ourinvention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adaptthe same for use under various conditions of service.

We claim:

1. A traction splint comprising telescopically related first and secondsections, means for xedly relating the sections, a body engaging memberat one end of said first section, a pressure clamp pivotally connectedwith the outer end of said second section, and resilient means acting onsaid pressure clamp and said second section.

2. A traction splint comprising telescopically related first and secondsections, means for xedly relating the sections, a body engaging memberat one end of said first section, a pressure clamp movably connectionwith the outer end of said second section, and a spring acting on saidsecond section and said pressure clamp to yieldingly bias the latter toa traction position.

3. A traction splint comprising telescopically related first and secondsections, means for fixedly relating the sections, a body engagingmember at one end of said first section, a pressure clamp pivotallyconnected with the outer end of said second section and having a recess,said second section having an axial bore in its outer end, and acompression spring interposed between the second section and saidpressure clamp and having its ends respectively lying in said bore andsaid recess.

4. A traction splint comprising adjustab-ly related rst and secondsections, means for xedly relating the sections, a body engaging memberat one end of said first section, a pressure clamp pivotally connectedwith one end of said second section, said second section having aprojection lying to one side of said one end, and resilient meansinterposed between said pressure clamp and said second section.

5. The invention described in claim 4 wherein said pressure clamp isprovided with an attaching strap, a second attaching strap slidablymounted on said second section, and a third strap carried by said firstsection.

6. The invention described in claim 1 wherein said means comprises aslotted end of said second section, and a screw tightened bandencircling said slotted end.

RAYMOND HARTlVLANN. GUSTAVE R. TIFAL.

